Communications breakdown affects flights nationwide

Associated Press photoWatch out for delays at local airports today after a communications glitch has affected schedules nationwide.

The Associated Press is reporting a communications failure at the Federal Aviation Administration's Georgia flight processing facility which is causing flight delays across the country.

Air passengers should check with their airline as about three dozen major airports nationwide are showing delays up to 45 minutes or more on some flights.

FAA spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said there are no safety issues and officials are still able to speak to pilots on planes on the ground and in the air.

The glitch was caused when a communication link that transmits data between the facility in Hampton, Ga., and another one in Salt Lake City failed to operate. That put the burden for processing all the flight plans on the Salt Lake facility.

Meanwhile, the FAA warned the Port Authority today that its three local airports, Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty, could be in violation of federal regulations and subject to loss of federal grants if the airports do not go along with the FAA's auction of take off and landing slots there.

Earlier this month, the Port Authority threatened to block flights involving the auctioned slots, and to block those planes from using terminal gates or other ground facilities.

The agency argued the slot auction would make it more difficult for smaller budget carriers to use the airports, which would drive up ticket prices for travelers. In addition, it might lead to fewer flights into and out of small communities.

For its part, the FAA says the auctions are necessary to preserve a competitive market, which can open up the airports to new carriers and help lower fares.

The three airports got $27 million in grants in fiscal year 2008.

City Councilman Michael McMahon (D-North Shore), a candidate for Congress, recalled last summer's finalization of the FAA's airspace redesign, which sends some flights from Newark over the Arthur Kill and Tottenville at night before heading out over New Jersey. The redesign was very unpopular among Islanders.

"The FAA has done it again," McMahon said. "On the same day the FAA has effectively ordered New York airports to raise prices and cut flights on already overstretched travelers, its computers shutdown and create even worse delays. From slot auctioning and flawed airspace redesign to rampant near misses, the FAA is a prime example of the mismanagement and flawed oversight of this Republican administration. When elected, I will push for a strengthened FAA, staffed by experts, with the funding it needs to keep America moving safely."